Recipients range from Members of Parliament, to sleep strategists to chief executives

It's with great pride and a hefty dash of admiration that we present the recipients of this year's OBJ Forty Under 40 Awards, a longstanding Ottawa Business Journal tradition and one I'm happy to be part of for the first time.

This year's recipients truly traverse a constellation of occupations and businesses, from federal cabinet members to newscasters, ghost storytelling tour operators to management partners and resto owners to dentists and chiropractors. But OBJ's Forty Under 40 recipients also share one common thread, and that's the determination, drive and ability to succeed in both business and community-based ventures.

It's an exciting time both for the recipients and OBJ itself, and one that will culminate in the annual Forty Under 40 Gala this week at Casino Lac-Leamy.

Adding to this year's festivities, OBJ presents the first instalment of a comprehensive database of Forty Under 40 recipients, to be compiled each year, which provides a demographic snapshot of Ottawa's best and brightest.

We asked questions such as age, gender, and place of birth, but also queries such as annual company revenue, primary geographic market, worldwide employee count, source of startup funds and current annual salary. Thanks to all the nominators, nominees, judges and everyone else who have once again made this year's OBJ Forty Under 40 a smashing success.

Cheers,

Jim Donnelly

Editor of Ottawa Business Journal

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Here in Part I of this year's Forty Under 40 profiles, we profile the first 20 recipients in alphabetical order:

JOHN BAIRD, 39

Minister of the Environment

Company profile: Government of Canada.

Education: BA Honours in political studies, Queen's University (1992).

Biggest biz achievement: Delivering the Federal Accountability Act.

Biggest biz obstacle: Dealing with people with bad attitudes.

Biggest lesson learned: Making priorities and staying focused.

Three words that describe you: Loyal, hardworking, honest.

Charitable involvement: The Royal Canadian Legion – Veterans' Issues.

Biggest influence: My grandfather, Kenneth Collins, by his example.

First job: Clerk, Department of Supply Services at age 16.

Favourite pastime: Spending time with friends.

Favourite travel destination: The Muskokas, Ont.

Favourite book: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom.

Favourite movie: Silence of the Lambs.

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AMR BARAKAT, 33

Dentistry@Main; dentist

Company profile: Cosmetic and family dentistry in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.

Education: Doctor of dental surgery, University of Toronto (1999).

Biggest biz achievement: Building a quality, state-of-the-art cosmetic and family practice from scratch in 2004 with a focus on creating a positive experience for every patient.

Biggest biz obstacle: The biggest obstacle so far has been surrounding myself with a team that shares the same enthusiasm and vision for the practice as me.

Biggest lesson learned: You can't be everything to everyone. I have decided to provide the best care in my ability, the best dentistry has to offer. In doing so, you attract people who want the best.

Three words that describe you: Motivated, empathetic, dependable.

Charitable involvement: Tori's Helping Hand (part of the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Support Programs).

Biggest influence: In building my business, there has been no one person that has influenced me more than others. I have been guided along the way by many people, including dental consultants, other dentists and sales representatives. Each influenced me in their own way.

First job: Clerk at a Sunoco gas bar.

Favourite pastime: Soccer.

Favourite travel destination: The Canadian Rockies.

Favourite book: The autobiography of Malcolm X.

Favourite movie: The Usual Suspects.

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DENIS BARBEAU, 39

Systemscope; partner and practice lead, management consulting

Company profile: Strategic consulting services for the government of Canada in the areas of management consulting, e-government and information management.

Education: B.Eng. in mechanical engineering, Carleton University (1991).

Biggest biz achievement: My business partner and I bought Systemscope on July 1, 2004. We quadrupled gross revenues within two years.

Biggest biz obstacle: We acquired Systemscope at a time when the government had a moratorium on contracting in place. We stayed true to our core competencies, marketed like hell, and didn't panic. Within a couple of months, the tide had turned.

Biggest lesson learned: Identify your strengths and core competencies, focus on these value propositions, and delegate or outsource everything else. This is a lesson that has served me well in business as well as in my personal life.

Three words that describe you: Organization, empathy, integrity.

Charitable involvement: U6 soccer coach with Soccer Chelsea.

Biggest influence: There is a collection of people who bring tremendous value and perspectives to me in business including my business partner Stephen, my wife Alexei, and my parents.

First job: My first summer job was working with a professional model home builder on a mini-replica of an R2000 energy-efficient home for Energy, Mines and Resources. I was the truss and roofing guy. That experience remains the closest I have ever come to being a true handyman (see outsourcing your non-core competencies above).

Favourite pastime: Cycling and cross-country skiing in Gatineau Park; spending time with my family.

Favourite travel destination: Kennebunkport, Maine.

Favourite book: Fiction: A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. Non-fiction: In Pursuit of Excellence by Terry Orlick.

Favourite movie: Star Wars and the Godfather trilogy.

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PAUL BARBEAU, 39

hyperNET Inc. / NPN Financial Partners; president, CEO and CTO

Company profile: hyperNET is a database application and hosting company. NPN Financial Partners helps companies begin trading publicly.

Education: High school diploma, North Toronto Collegiate Institute (1988).

Biggest biz achievement: Building a public company based on software development by myself that is now worth $180 million and employs 40 people.

Biggest biz obstacle: Finding adequate funding and resources that work for a small company.

Biggest lesson learned: Being able to see the big picture and making sure you enjoy what you do.

Three words that describe you: Driven, motivated, hard-working.

Charitable involvement: Christmas Exchange and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Biggest influence: After joining our two companies and going public on the Toronto Stock Exchange, Marvin Bedward mentored me on international trade, operating a public company, raising funds and creating business partnerships.

First job: Paperboy in Toronto.

Favourite pastime: Golf.

Favourite travel destination: Northern Canada in a canoe.

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NATALIE BEAUCHAMP, 39

Beauchamp Wellness Group; doctor

Company profile: We provide technologies, tools and programs to help people achieve optimal health and wellness.

Education: Bachelor of health science, University of Ottawa (1992), Doctor of Chiropractic degree, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto (1996).

Biggest biz achievement: Owning Beauchamp Chiropractic, an affiliated Creating Wellness Centre.

Biggest biz obstacle: Public education/awareness of the importance of a wellness lifestyle. People are too busy and forget to take care of themselves.

Biggest lesson learned: Educating your clients/patients is the key.

Three words that describe you: Energy, drive, passion.

Charitable involvement: Orleans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre.

Biggest influence: Dr. Patrick Gentempo, whose passion and vision for wellness empowers me to always stretch myself to a higher level.

First job: Waitress/cook in my hometown restaurant.

Favourite pastime: Weight lifting.

Favourite travel destination: San Diego.

Favourite book: Good to Great by Jim Collins.

Favourite movie: The Secret.

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STEPHEN BECKTA, 34

Beckta Dining and Wine; owner

Company profile: Fine dining restaurant.

Education: Sommelier Certificate, Algonquin College (1997).

Biggest biz achievement: Named Top Independent Restaurateur by the Ontario Hostelry Institute in 2008.

Biggest biz obstacle: Balancing work with home demands and desires.

Biggest lesson learned: Stay true to your highest ideals and values. Never compromise them to make more money or make a customer happy.

Three words that describe you: Tenacious, curious, hopeful.

Charitable involvement: Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

Biggest influence: Danny Meyer, my former boss and mentor who gave me the words to describe the philosophies that I have always held.

First job: Busboy at Malibu Jack's.

Favourite pastime: Playing with my son, dining with my wife and reading about politics.

Favourite travel destination: France.

Favourite book: Franklin Delano Roosevelt by Conrad Black.

Favourite movie: Braveheart.

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KERRI BROOKS-RICHARD, 38

The Artistic Group; co-owner, marketing and business development

Company profile: The Artistic Group is a design and build company specializing in backyard transformations, swimming pools, residential construction and landscaping.

Education: Diploma in real estate and mortgage financing, Algonquin College (1990).

Biggest biz achievement: Becoming admired and recognized nationally for our work and growing to a solid size with a retail storefront from very humble beginnings.

Biggest biz obstacle: Our biggest obstacle to building our business was surviving our growth and overcoming unethical practices from powerful outside sources.

Biggest lesson learned: An affirmation that you can overcome adversity by doing the right thing and not compromising your ethics (and your true character comes out in the face of adversity). I believe that you aren't given what you can't handle and I have learned that I can handle quite a lot.

Three words that describe you: Passionate, integrity, optimistic.

Charitable involvement: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. My kids and I are in the process of starting a new children's charity: Today's Kids – Tomorrow's Future.

Biggest influence: I have been fortunate to have many positive influences in my life, all of which have influenced who I am in the business world. My parents are a shining example of compassion, giving back to the community, and strong work ethic. In recent years, and during challenging circumstances, I gained strength from my mentors: Terry and Pat Scott.

First job: There were many basic jobs, but my favourite was being a server at the Loch March Golf and Country Club.

Favourite pastime: Painting or reading.

Favourite travel destination: Camping in provincial or state parks and Hawaii.

Favourite book: The Saint, the Surfer and the CEO by Robin Sharma.

Favourite movie: Gandhi and Cinderella Man.

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JODY BURTON, 33

Stoneworks Technologies Inc.; chief executive officer

Company profile: We are a value-added reseller that sells computer hardware, software and services.

Education: Business administration degree, Algonquin College (1991).

Biggest biz achievement: Earning the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year (Bronze) award and attaining $30 million in sales in the 2007 fiscal year.

Biggest biz obstacle: Growth and keeping up to date with technology curves in our industry. We have grown so rapidly over our seven-plus years in business that it has created a great deal of stress on the foundation of the company to ensure we always remain efficient yet flexible with our clientele.

Biggest lesson learned: Ensuring that you communicate clearly with your clients and peers. Never assume that people are on the same page as you. Lead by example and those that believe in the path you have laid will follow.

Three words that describe you: Passionate, driven, fair.

Charitable involvement: Children's Wish Foundation.

Biggest influence: My former CEO Mac Brown was a very charismatic individual that I learned a great deal from over the years. In the earlier years, he was very passionate about what he did, treated his employees/teammates with respect and demanded the best from them as well.

First job: Working on the farm at age 11 – I haven't stopped since then!

Favourite pastime: Hockey and golf.

Favourite travel destination: Mexico.

Favourite book: Anything with pictures.

Favourite movie: Jerry Maguire.

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MARTIN CHENIER, 29

Spherion Corp.; senior branch manager

Company profile: Spherion is the Jerry Maguire of the workforce ... we match talent with the right team.

Education: Bachelor's degree in business administration, University of Ottawa (2007).

Biggest biz achievement: Achieving Top Performing Branch status in Canada, winning Branch Manager of the Year award, and receiving the Consumer's Choice Award for Best Employment Agency in Ottawa-Gatineau ... all in the same year (2007).

Biggest biz obstacle: Obstacles? What obstacles? It's a piece of cake trying to find talent in a government city where the unemployment rate is 4.5 per cent.

Biggest lesson learned: Companies don't make profit, people do. Recognizing that if it isn't for that great team, you're just a name on a building.

Three words that describe you: Integrity, passion, humour.

Charitable involvement: Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, CIBC Run for the Cure.

Biggest influence: My predecessor at Spherion, Laura Landry, played and still plays a key role in my career. Entering the staffing industry at a young age, Laura gave me the confidence I needed to succeed. Honourable mention goes to Nick "Pops" Newton for the inspiration and the friendship.

First job: Canteen guy at a bingo hall.

Favourite pastime: Spending quality time with my family.

Favourite travel destination: Dominican Republic.

Favourite book: Leadership Wisdom by Robin Sharma.

Favourite movie: Patch Adams.

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PAULA CLANCY, 39

Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP; lawyer, trademark agent.

Company profile: Gowling Lafleur Henderson is a national, full-service law firm.

Education: Juris Doctor, University of Toronto (1994).

Biggest biz achievement: Building an intellectual property law practice while raising my five children.

Biggest biz obstacle: Shortage of time. Unfortunately, there are only 24 hours in a day.

Biggest lesson learned: Client service and satisfaction is the key. Do everything in your power to help your clients and provide them with top-level service. That is the best way to develop a loyal client base.

Three words that describe you: Determined, caring, fun.

Charitable involvement: Director at SOS Children's Villages, an independent non- governmental and social development organization that has been active in the field of children's needs, concerns and rights since 1949. Its activities focus on neglected and abandoned children and orphans, as well as disadvantaged families.

Biggest influence: My husband Mike Clancy (who is a partner at Gowlings). He has often been referred to as a "lawyer's lawyer," which is the ultimate compliment. He has encouraged me to continue in my profession and has stressed the importance of building my own practice.

First job: Selling Robert Bateman prints at one of his exhibitions at the Royal Alberta Museum.

Favourite pastime: Watching my kids play sports.

Favourite travel destination: I would love to visit Hawaii.

Favourite book: The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, followed by The Music of the Primes by Marcus Du Sautoy.

Favourite movie: The Big Lebowski.

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JOCK CLIMIE, 39

Emond Harnden LLP; partner

Company profile: Boutique law firm specializing in management-side labour and employment law.

Education: Law degree, Queen's University (1994).

Biggest biz achievement: Becoming a partner at Emond Harnden and building my own practice through my own business development efforts, all while juggling a second career in broadcasting.

Biggest biz obstacle: Competition from national law firms and other management-side boutique firms. In order to attract and maintain clients it is necessary to provide sound, timely advice.

Biggest lesson learned: It is not enough to know the law. As counsel to HR managers and business owners, they are far more interested in getting advice that is practical and is tailored to their particular business reality.

Three words that describe you: Integrity, analytical, curious.

Charitable involvement: Fundraising events for a variety of charitable organizations.

Biggest influence: Lynn Harnden, a founding partner of Emond Harnden. Lynn taught me how to approach business development. Simply put, it is not enough to be a good lawyer. Rather, to have a successful practice it is necessary to think strategically about how to bring in new clients. It is critical to determine what a potential client's needs are and then figure out how to meet them. In our line of business, there is not a "one-size-fits-all" approach to providing legal advice.

First job: Counsellor at an after-school daycare centre.

Favourite pastime: Playing guitar.

Favourite travel destination: Southeast Asia.

Favourite book: High Fidelity by Nick Hornby.

Favourite movie: Saving Private Ryan.

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CHRISTOPHER CRUPI, 39

Paramount Gold and Silver Corp.; chief executive officer

Company profile: Mining exploration in Mexico and South America.

Education: B. Comm., University of Ottawa (1992).

Biggest biz achievement: Making a siginificant mining discovery in Mexico and taking the company to the Toronto Stock Exchange and the American Stock Exchange.

Biggest biz obstacle:The ability to raise financing.

Biggest lesson learned: Start with a well-thought-out business plan, understand the risks therein then execute as quickly as possible.

Words that describe you: Creative thinker.

Charitable involvement: Coaching kids soccer.

Biggest influence: The Right Hon. Don Mazakowski, former deputy prime minister and minister of finance. I learned that hard work mixed with business acumen pays dividends in the long run.

First job: Labourer on a construction site.

Favourite pastime: Playing soccer.

Favourite travel destination: Mexico.

Favourite book: Angels and Demons by Dan Brown.

Favourite movie: Indiana Jones.

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TREVOR DOYLE, 34

Doyle Homes and Doyle Developments; owner

Company profile: Doyle designs and builds custom homes in West Ottawa and the Ottawa Valley as well as developing serviced and estate lot subdivisions.

Education: High-school diploma, Earl of March Secondary School (1992).

Biggest biz achievement: Successfully starting and growing our custom home business at a relatively fast rate with limited initial resources and experience.

Biggest biz obstacle: Our business is very capital-intensive. Our biggest obstacle has been acquiring an ample supply of inventory land to grow our business while still managing to maintain enough operating capital on hand.

Biggest lesson learned: I've learned the importance of having the best possible systems and controls in place as a means of minimizing errors and oversights. I've also learned that having the best available staff is an invaluable resource.

Three words that describe you: Hard-working, integrity, fair.

Charitable involvement: Christie Lake Kids.

Biggest influence: My father, who exemplified hard work and commitment.

First job: General labourer at a driving range.

Favourite pastime: Exercise of any kind, but generally biking, swimming and running.

Favourite travel destination: Anywhere with a warm beach.

Favourite book: Marley and Me by John Grogan.

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DEAN DREVNIOK, 38

Frecon Construction Ltd.; president

Company profile: General contractor which works primarily within the institutional, commercial and industrial sectors.

Education: B.Eng. in civil engineering, Carleton University (1992).

Biggest biz achievement: Achieving the company's largest project of just over $16 million, with the biggest year in terms of sales being just over $46 million. But truly the best achievement is balancing my family life and my business life.

Biggest biz obstacle: Finding the right people that have the same ideals and work ethics as I have.

Biggest lesson learned: Bigger isn't always better; the bigger the company the bigger the headaches that come with it.

Three words that describe you: Loyal, trusting, hard-working.

Charitable involvement: Innovative Community Support Services (a non-profit charitable organization that is committed to creating and providing families & individuals with innovative, high-quality and cost-effective community-based programs and services that promote a strong sense of well-being while making a positive contribution to our culturally diversified community).

Biggest influence: My father; he was the founder of the company and he always provided me with the support I needed, but gave me the freedom to integrate myself within the company.

First job: Bank teller at the Bank of Montreal.

Favourite pastime: Reading.

Favourite travel destination: Walt Disney World in Florida.

Favourite book: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Favourite movie: A Knight's Tale.

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MARC DUFRESNE, 39

Macadamian Technologies; vice-president, business development

Company profile: Macadamian is a software product creation partner for North American companies, offering end-to-end project development that includes a wide spectrum of software development, consulting, usability and GUI (graphical user interface) design services.

Education: BA Honours in economics, Laurentian University (1992).

Biggest biz achievement: Achievements are never reached alone. Leading a great team to some incredible growth over the past five years is something I am extremely proud of.

Biggest biz obstacle: Time ... or lack thereof ... I am still trying to find that 36-hour watch.

Biggest lesson learned: If it ain't fun, it ain't worth it. Love what you do, every day.

Three words that describe you: Curious, eager, funny.

Charitable involvement: Orleans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre

Biggest influence: I could pick several, but the earliest and most influencial would be Byron Eastman, my economics professor in university. His passion and drive for life and living helped me believe in me.

First job: Busboy at a Casey's Bar & Grill in Sudbury.

Favourite pastime: Hockey and golf.

Favourite travel destination: Monterey, Calif.

Favourite book: Freakonomics by Stephen J. Dubner and Steven Levitt.

Favourite movie: Anything with Steve Carell.

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ERIC GIRARD, 36

Deloitte; partner

Company profile: Largest accounting firm in Canada and Ottawa, providing professional services including audit, consulting, financial advisory, tax and enterprise risk.

Education: Bachelor in accounting science and chartered accountant, Universite du Quebec in Outaouais (1994).

Biggest biz achievement: Becoming partner for a great firm like Deloitte.

Biggest biz obstacle: Attracting and retaining our people. Providing them with a challenging and stimulating working environment, while providing them the work-life balance they are looking for.

Biggest lesson learned: Listen, listen, listen. Listen to your clients and our people in order to understand their needs and challenges in order to help them excel.

Three words that describe you: Leader, humorous, open-minded.

Charitable involvement: United Way Ottawa and SCO Hospital.

Biggest influence: I've had several people influence me during my career. My first boss, Jean-Guy Hamelin, my partners Bruce, Serge, Bob and Carman, but the most important person would be my dad. My dad helped me by transferring me his values, his excellent business sense and taught me that you succeed by working hard.

First job: Corner store clerk at 14.

Favourite pastime: Spending time with my wife and my three-year-old daughter.

Favourite travel destination: Europe (I have travelled to London, Spain and Greece).

Favourite book: The Harry Potter books.

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ERIC GRAHAM, 36

Xmark Corp.; vice-president, finance and administration

Company profile: Xmark Corp.'s radio frequency identification (RFID) infant and pediatric protection, wander prevention, staff safety, and asset-tracking applications are trusted by over 5,000 health-care institutions worldwide.

Education: Master of accounting, bachelor of mathematics, University of Waterloo (1995).

Biggest biz achievement: At Deloitte, I took on the responsibility of building a new group to provide technical expertise on complex transactions and accounting issues to businesses. Under my leadership, revenues exceeded budget in each of the first two years and grew by more than 50 per cent in the second year.

Biggest biz obstacle: Balancing the competing interests of the staff, growing the business and dealing with the need to find a new and more stable owner for the business.

Biggest lesson learned: Business, like life, is a series of opportunities. One needs to learn to take advantage of opportunities that come our way. It is most difficult to see the potential when faced with challenging events.

Three words that describe you: Ambitious, logical, honest.

Charitable involvement: Great Canadian Theatre Company. Served as the treasurer, member of the executive committee, chair of the building committee, as well as in various ad hoc committees.

Biggest influence: Whenever I am faced by a particularly difficult decision in business I have always sought the advice of my father. He has always taught me the importance of hard work, being fair, honest and giving back to the community.

First job: Lifeguard and swimming instructor at an outdoor pool.

Favourite pastime: Golf. There is nothing more relaxing than spending four hours in the outdoors enjoying the fresh air and taking your frustrations out by whacking a little white ball as hard as you can.

Favourite travel destination: Scotland. I have visited Scotland twice and would go back many more times. I have climbed to the top of a number of mountains and explored countless castles.

Favourite book: My current favourite book is the Robert Munsch Grand Treasury, because right now it is my two-year-old daughter's favourite book and we read it together many nights.

Favourite movie: Any of the James Bond movies – I own every one and have watched them all countless times.

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KEELAN GREEN, 32

Thornley Fallis Communications and 76design; vice-president and general manager

Company profile: Public and media relations, communications, marketing, media training, branding, graphic design, and web, multimedia and application development.

Education: Bachelor of business administration, Acadia University (1998).

Biggest biz achievement: Engineered significant turnaround in the firm's Ottawa office, leading to growth in clients, revenue and employees.

Biggest biz obstacle: Needing to constantly stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing industry.

Biggest lesson learned: The importance of developing and maintaining relationships.

Three words that describe you: Determined, confident, efficient.

Charitable involvement: Salvation Army.

Biggest influence: The people I have worked closest and longest with to make our business successful: Joe, Alex, Aimee, Brett, Stephen and LeeEllen.

First job: (Not) cleaning clubs at a golf course.

Favourite pastime: Golf.

Favourite travel destination: Greece, where my wife and I were engaged.

Favourite book: The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis.

Favourite movie: Friday Night Lights.

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GEOFFREY EDEN, 39

Knowledge Circle Learning Services Inc.; president/owner

Company profile: We offer language training services to federal government employees.

Education: Master of arts, University of Ottawa (1992).

Biggest biz achievement: We have just moved into an expanded space as the demand for our services outstripped our ability to provide. The expansion was exciting and will be a challenge for the coming year.

Biggest biz obstacle: We entered into a mature market – most of our competitors have at least 15 years' experience, while we're just coming up to five.

Biggest lesson learned: Hire the right people, set the direction, get out of their way.

Three words that describe you: Questioning, understanding, stubborn (I am a Taurus).

Charitable involvement: Third Wall Theatre receives the largest part of our sponsorship. Then Capital Pride, the Folk Festival and Evolution Theatre.

Biggest influence: I had a former supervisor at a part-time job in university who was probably the most lasting influence. She always backed her staff publicly, coached in private, and shared generously her experience and knowledge. She let me take my first chance at management at a young age.

First job: Picking cherries in the summer at the orchard of a friend of the family.

Favourite pastime: I love working out at the gym – it's a great stress-reliever for me. I have also started boxing – an amazing workout.

Favourite travel destination: Chicago is my number-one place to go for a long weekend.

Favourite book: Not Wanted on the Voyage by Timothy Findley.

Favourite movie: The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover.

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BRENDA HOLLINGSWORTH, 39

Auger Hollingsworth; lawyer

Company profile: We are a litigation law firm with an emphasis on personal injury, criminal defence and business disputes.

Education: Bachelor of laws, University of Ottawa (1995).

Biggest biz achievement: The biggest achievement has been growth. I have managed to grow my clientele from 0 to 100 quality client files in a relatively short time.

Biggest biz obstacle: It is challenging, but important, to grow without sacrificing service. This can mean extending staff, procuring technology and otherwise spending to meet the practice needs before the growth has actually provided additional revenue.

Biggest lesson learned: You can't be everything to everybody. I have discovered that the more focused my practice becomes the easier it is to provide great expert service and to welcome new clients.

Three words that describe you: Interested, curious, devoted.

Charitable involvement: Child Advocacy Project (CAP) is an organization that assists low-income children by providing pro bono (free) legal representation to kids in conflict with the public school system.

Biggest influence: My partner (and husband), Richard Auger, has a strong business sense combined with exacting professional standards. Working with him has pushed me to be more entrepreneurial.

First job: Swimming instructor at the Carlingwood Y in the 1980s.

Favourite pastime: Playing with my kids.

Favourite travel destination: Paris, France.

Favourite book: Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte.

Favourite movie: A Room with a View.